Can You Wear Glasses While Playing Hockey? A Practical Guide

As a hockey enthusiast with less-than-perfect vision, I've often wondered about the best way to see the puck clearly on the ice. Finding the right solution to wear glasses while playing hockey can be tricky, but trust me, it's possible! I'm going to share my journey and the solutions I've discovered to help you see the game clearly and safely.

My Hockey Vision Struggles: A Real Problem

Like many players, I initially tried to wear my regular glasses under my helmet's cage. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! It quickly became a frustrating experience. The glasses would constantly fog up from my sweat, and sometimes they felt like they were about to fall off. It was distracting and definitely impacted my game. I knew I needed a better solution if I wanted to enjoy playing hockey without constantly adjusting my eyewear.

Exploring Vision Correction Options for Hockey

I started researching different options to address my vision problem on the ice. I quickly realized that just wearing my everyday glasses wasn't going to cut it. Here's what I found:

Contacts: Many players swear by contacts. Single-use, daily wear contacts are a popular choice because you don't have to worry about cleaning them.
Sports Goggles: These are designed specifically for sports and offer better protection and stability than regular glasses.
Wearing Glasses Under a Cage (with precautions): While not ideal, it's possible if you take the right steps.

My Experiments and Discoveries

I decided to try a few different approaches:

1. The Contact Lens Route

I tried daily disposable contact lenses, and they worked pretty well. The freedom of not having glasses was great, and my vision was clear. However, I sometimes experienced dry eyes, especially in colder rinks. This solution is definitely effective for clear vision during hockey games.

2. Sports Goggles: A Game Changer

Next, I explored sports goggles. I learned that Zenni has reasonably priced sport goggles. The key is finding a pair that fits comfortably under your helmet and provides good peripheral vision. This was a solid option, especially for players who prefer not to wear contacts.

3. Making Glasses Work (with Effort)

I also tried wearing an older, smaller pair of glasses under my cage. This was my least favorite option, but I made it work in a pinch. The biggest issue was fogging. I found that using an anti-fog spray helped, but I had to reapply it every few games. Even with the spray, my glasses would sometimes fog up on the bench, especially if the rink wasn't well dehumidified.

A Closer Look at Sports Goggles

My friend's kid uses sport goggles that wrap around with an elastic band. This is a great solution for keeping the goggles secure and preventing them from falling off. I recommend asking your optometrist about sport goggle options. They can help you find a pair that fits well and provides the necessary vision correction.